Bookstore That Stood Against Disturbing NY Abortion Law Gets Unbelievable Response from Public
When a Syracuse, New York, bookstore closed in reaction to a New York state law that legalized abortion up until the moment of birth, the owner knew it would make some waves. What he didn’t know is how huge — and how positive — the reaction would be.
According to a Facebook post by Jon Speed, the owner of Jon Speed: The Book Scout, the store is so overwhelmed with emails and orders they’re still trying to sort through them.
Speed’s store went viral after it closed in reaction to the Reproductive Health Act. Ostensibly pushed as an attempt to codify Roe v. Wade into state law in case the Supreme Court overturns the case, the law also legalizes abortion up until birth in certain circumstances and allows non-doctors to perform abortions.
If just to antagonize opponents of the bill, Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo had certain landmarks — including One World Trade Center, the tallest building in America — lit up pink as a sign of victory.
However, another reaction to the bill’s passage didn’t go unnoticed. In Syracuse, Jon Speed posted a laminated sign on his door and closed up shop on Wednesday.
“CLOSED TODAY. Today is a day of mourning in New York State,” the sign read.
“In honor of the thousands of babies that will die in the years to come, we shall not be collecting sales tax for this tyrannical government today,” Speed posted on Facebook. “We will on other days, under duress, but not today.”
Speed told The Western Journal that he’s been open about his pro-life beliefs in the past to the point of producing a pro-life documentary. After the legislation passed, he said he “wanted to make a stand,” even though he won’t usually discuss his pro-life politics with customers.
“There’s not much you can do after the fact,” Speed said. “I thought, ‘Well maybe I just put a sign out and explain my position.’ That way, at least my customers will know where I stand on this.”
Speed was also angered by the fact it was signed on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade.
“It was definitely intentional,” Speed said. “Cuomo has not been shy about slapping conservatives around New York state.
“He said at one point, I think a couple of years ago, that people like us don’t even belong in this state.”
At the time, Speed told The Western Journal that at least one longtime customer had made it clear they were breaking off their business with the store over his opposition to the Reproductive Health Act. That loss, however, seems to have been more than offset by the gains, if the bookstore’s Facebook page is any indication.
“We want to thank you for your overwhelming support and notes of encouragement. We have tried to respond to as many as we can but cannot get to them all,” the store wrote in a Thursday update.
“We are surprised at the number of online orders that have been placed and will work diligently to fill them over the next couple of days. Please be patient as we sort through the emails and fill the orders. We did not anticipate this kind of reaction for what seemed to us a simple issue of conscience but are greatly encouraged that this very basic statement has been a blessing to so many who care about this issue of life in the womb.
“May the Lord Jesus Christ be glorified,” they concluded.
What this will mean for the store in the long run remains to be seen. The left has long memories, after all; just ask the folks behind Masterpiece Cakeshop. For now, however, taking a moral stand seems to have worked out in Speed’s favor.
Either way, we suspect he wouldn’t have minded — and we wish him the best, as we wish the best upon every person, business and organization willing to stand up against one of the most grotesquely immoral laws in recent memory.
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